Adjusting HCV Draglinks

Figure 1	Figure 2	Figure 3
Figure 4	Figure 5

Having been in the commercial braking and S&S business since 1906, TRW Automotive is firmly established as a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of integrated systems. Our by-word is SAFETY and all our products are tested to the extreme before marketing.

• We manufactures over 700 matching OE quality, steering and suspension parts under the TRW Proequip brand
• At four dedicated OE and aftermarket manufacturing facilities across Europe.
• The programme also comprises: brake pads, shock absorbers and steering gears
  All product is supplied direct from our state of the art warehouse in Uberherrn, Germany.
• This article examines how to adjust the ends of a draglink – the link between the steering box and the pitman arm. It should be viewed as a guide only. 

Adjusting one end of the Draglink

1. Position the wheels of the vehicle straight ahead.
2. Disconnect the draglink at the pitman arm, using the appropriate tools.
3. Make sure that the steering gear is centered by aligning the timing marks on the housing and the output shaft. 
4. Loosen the clamp on the draglink.
5. Adjust the draglink length to fit the holes on the pitman arm and the axle steer arm.
   Hold the long side of the draglink with both hands (Figure 1). Rotate it away from you as far as it will go. Centre between these two points.
6. Hold the long side in place. Hold the tie rod end (Figure 2) and rotate it towards you – and away from you as far as you can. Center the tie rod end between these two points.
7. With both ends centred, tighten the clamp and torque (Figure 3) to vehicle manufacturer’s specifications.
8. Lubricate both tie rod ends (unless they are non greaseable ends) until you can see clean grease purging out of the seal. Ensure you use the appropriate grease (# 2 NLGI standard). 

Warning
If the clamp is tack welded (Figure 4) don’t remove the tack weld. If removed, the clamping force won’t be enough to keep the tie rod ends stationary – which may result in the loss of steering control. If the tack-welded end requires replacement, the entire assembly needs to be replaced.

Note
If the clamp is free to rotate (Figure 5) it can be tightened in any opposition properly, as long as there is enough clearance from other parts.

Note
A hand-operated grease gun must be used when lubricating linkage. Power grease guns generate excessive force that can damage the boot seal.

Note
This purge is necessary to ensure contaminants are removed from socket assemblies.